What 50-inch TV to buy in 2025? Ranking and purchase guide

Some time ago, we prepared a shopping guide for you titled “What 43 inch TV to buy?”. Now we will take a look at models with a slightly larger diagonal – namely 50-inch ones. What 50 inch TV to buy? This question often arises in the context of choosing new equipment, similarly to 43-inch TVs.

As with the smaller models, manufacturers do not always expand their product lines in this size, which means that choosing the right device can be quite a challenge. Although the situation looks better than with smaller TVs, it is still not the easiest segment. It's worth noting from the start – if you have space for 55 inches and are not constrained, it is often better to opt for a larger model, as manufacturers often offer better TVs in that size – virtually at the same price. However, if for various reasons choosing a 50-inch TV is optimal for you, this guide will help you make the best decision.

Which 50-inch TV to buy?

Choosing a TV is quite a challenge – there are plenty of models available on the market, differing in image quality, operating system, or additional features. However, price is often the most important criterion for buyers. Not everyone wants or can afford the top models, which is why we have prepared this guide, dividing it into popular price ranges. This way, you will find it easier to choose a TV that meets your expectations, regardless of your budget.

Which 50-inch TV for $2000?

In a budget of $2000, it’s hard to find a TV that offers everything that top models do – it lacks local dimming, high HDR brightness or a 120 Hz panel. Nevertheless, we managed to find a few interesting options that have some of these features, offering decent picture quality, Smart TV capabilities, and solid smoothness of operation.

TCL C69B / C655

The cheapest option in this comparison, but it still has some interesting features. Google TV provides access to a huge number of apps, which streaming service fans will appreciate. The VA panel offers quite good contrast, although the lack of local dimming means that blacks are not as deep as in more expensive models. For gamers, this is quite a decent option – it features VRR and ALLM, which enhance gameplay fluidity on the 60Hz panel. Dolby Vision also does its part – thanks to it, HDR looks better since the TV's brightness (350 nits) is not cutting-edge technology.

Advantages:
✅ Google TV – a convenient system with many apps
✅ VA panel – good contrast for this price
✅ Dolby Vision – improves HDR quality despite low brightness
✅ VRR and ALLM – suitable for occasional gaming

Disadvantages:
❌ Lack of local dimming – blacks are not perfect
❌ Low HDR brightness (350 nits) – the effect is limited in bright scenes

Hisense U6NQ

This is one of the few Mini LED TVs at 50 inches, and definitely the best in this price range. For less than 2000 zł, we get Mini LED backlighting (meaning more and smaller diodes behind the VA panel), which translates to better contrast and deeper blacks. Dolby Vision and a brightness level of 450 nits ensure that HDR looks decent, which is a rarity in this price bracket. The TV could also be an interesting option for gamers – despite having a 60 Hz panel, it supports 120 Hz at Full HD (1080p) resolution. It’s a great alternative for consoles where many games don’t run in 4K 120 Hz anyway, so you can enjoy smoother visuals at a lower resolution. Additionally, the ability to record to USB is a plus, something you won't find in TCL. However, the Vidaa system, while fast and responsive, doesn’t offer as many apps as Google TV – for example, it lacks popular music players. Furthermore, while local dimming improves contrast, we can't expect the advanced algorithms found in more expensive Mini LED TVs.

Pros:

✅ Mini LED + VA panel – very good contrast for this price
✅ Dolby Vision and 450 nits brightness – decent HDR in the budget category
✅ Supports 120 Hz in 1080p – a good alternative for console gamers
✅ USB recording – added functionality

Cons:

❌ Vidaa system – fewer apps than on Google TV
❌ Local dimming works, but not at the level of more expensive Mini LEDs

Comparison of TCL C69B vs Hisense U6NQ

Which 50-inch TV to choose for under 2000 zł?

In our opinion, the Hisense U6NQ is definitely the better choice in this price range. At the same price, you get better image quality thanks to Mini LED backlighting, higher HDR brightness, and support for 120 Hz at 1080p, which can be a significant advantage for gamers. Additionally, the TV supports USB recording, which you won't find in the TCL model.

However, this doesn't mean that the TCL C69B / C655 doesn't have its advantages. If you’re looking for a 50-inch TV with Android TV, this model is definitely worth considering. Google TV offers a much wider selection of apps and better integration with the Google ecosystem, which can be crucial for some users.

However, if you don't care about access to thousands of apps and are satisfied with the standard library of the Vidaa system, the Hisense U6NQ wins in almost every aspect – it has better contrast, a brighter screen, and more advanced features for gamers.

What 50-inch TV can you get for under 2500 PLN?

To be honest, at a price of up to 2500 PLN, the previously mentioned models (Hisense U6NQ and TCL C69B/C655) are still great options and can be confidently ordered without much worry. However, if you absolutely want to set aside some extra budget for a TV, it's worth considering professional image calibration, which will allow you to bring out even better colours and contrast from the screen.

Returning to the topic of televisions – in a similar price range, you can find models with better specifications. It’s worth considering increasing the budget by 200–300 zł, as within this amount devices with higher brightness, better dimming algorithms, and more advanced features for gamers are available.

Samsung Q80D

One of the brightest options in this budget – in HDR mode, it reaches up to 1000 nits, which makes a huge difference compared to models that are a few hundred zlotys cheaper. Thanks to local dimming, the blacks are much deeper, and the contrast is better than in standard LCD televisions. However… it's worth knowing that in the 50-inch variant, a 60 Hz panel has been used. Nonetheless, Samsung compensates with an excellent motion smoothening feature – AutoMotion Game Plus, which makes games look smoother than they actually are. Tizen is another advantage – the system offers great compatibility with IoT devices, as well as a large app base, but we won’t find classic TV functions on it (such as recording from the built-in tuners).

Advantages:

✅ High HDR brightness (1000 nits) – great for bright rooms
✅ Local dimming – improves contrast and black depth
✅ AutoMotion Game Plus – performs well in games
✅ Tizen – stable and app-rich

Disadvantages:

❌ 60 Hz panel
❌ No recording function to USB from built-in tuners.

LG QNED87T6B

This model offers native 120 Hz in the 50-inch variant. As a result, the fluidity of the image in sports and games is noticeably better. Additionally, this size is equipped with a VA panel, which improves contrast compared to the larger versions we tested earlier. The webOS system runs smoothly, has all the key apps, and comes with a convenient Magic Remote that allows for intuitive control. The TV also allows for USB recording from built-in tuners. The biggest downside is the lack of support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so HDR will always be played back statically. Another issue is the edge lighting, which creates a lot of confusion – many people might even want to turn it off, as it can appear unnatural and irritate the eyes.

Pros:

✅ VA panel – high contrast
✅ 120 Hz refresh rate – perfect for sports and games
✅ webOS – great control with the "Magic" remote
✅ USB recording function from built-in tuners

Cons:

❌ No Dolby Vision or HDR10+
❌ Local dimming is essentially edge lighting

Sharp GR8

This is a television that will primarily interest gamers. The 144 Hz panel is a rarity in this segment, and combined with good contrast of the VA panel, it allows for exceptionally smooth images. An additional advantage is Google TV, which offers the widest access to applications among all Smart TV systems. For those who like to have a large selection, this is definitely a plus. However, there are some compromises – the brightness is not as high as in Samsung or LG (but we do have Dolby Vision here, which somewhat compensates for this), and the lack of AirPlay may be disappointing for Apple users.

Pros:

✅ VA panel – high contrast
✅ 144 Hz refresh rate – ideal for sports and gaming
✅ GoogleTV – largest selection of applications
✅ Dolby Vision

Cons:

❌ Lower brightness than competitors
❌ Lack of AirPlay support

Comparison: Samsung Q80D vs LG QNED87T6B vs Sharp GR8

Which 50-inch TV under 3000 zł should you choose?

If you’re looking for a TV mainly for movies and series, the Samsung Q80D will be the best choice. It has the highest brightness among all models in this budget, so it performs well even in a bright room. Additionally, local dimming and decent algorithms ensure that black levels look quite good. The final effect? Movies look simply the best.

On the other hand, if you’re gaming on a console or PC, a better choice would be the LG QNED87 or Sharp GR8. Both offer smoother imagery, which is vital in gaming. Which one to choose? It’s really a matter of which system suits you better. Sharp runs on Google TV, so if you enjoy using YouTube, Netflix or other apps and want as many as possible, it will be a good choice. The LG, on the other hand, comes with the convenient Magic Remote, which makes navigating the menu faster and more intuitive, and it also allows for recording live TV through its built-in tuners.

There’s also the TCL 50C809 – a model from 2023, which can still be found in select stores. On paper, it looks promising thanks to its mini-LED backlighting and high image fluidity. However, we haven’t had the chance to test it, so it’s difficult to make an honest comparison with the previously mentioned models. Nevertheless, it seems to be an interesting proposition.

What 49-inch TV should you buy?

If you're considering buying a 49-inch TV, we have some unfortunate news for you – this size has practically vanished from the market. Manufacturers have completely replaced it with 50-inch models, so if you're specifically looking for something in this size, it’s worth looking at slightly larger options. The difference of one inch is nearly imperceptible, and there's a much greater selection of models in the 50-inch segment.

However, if every millimetre matters to you, all is not lost. It’s worth paying attention to 48-inch OLEDs. OLED technology provides the best contrast, perfect black levels, and incredible picture quality, so if your budget allows, it's a great alternative. However, keep in mind that you won't find low-budget options like you would with LCD TVs.

Which 48-inch TV should you choose? Which small OLED is the best?

If you're looking for the best picture quality in a compact size, then 48-inch OLEDs are definitely the best choice. They offer perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and great colours, making them suitable for both movies and gaming.

In this size, we have several strong options worth considering. Each one offers excellent picture quality, but they differ in operating system, gaming features, and other details. If you're looking for a premium compact TV, you'll find the best options below.

LG C4

LG C4 is one of the best 48-inch OLEDs on the market. It offers perfect black levels, infinite contrast, and excellent colour reproduction, making movies and TV shows look truly impressive. For gamers, a significant advantage is the 144 Hz refresh rate and full support for gaming features. The webOS system runs smoothly and offers a wide selection of apps, while the Magic Remote makes operating the TV exceptionally easy. The LG C4 supports Dolby Vision, which means movies and shows in this format look much better, as the TV can dynamically adjust brightness and contrast for each scene.

However, it's worth remembering that like every OLED, the LG C4 is susceptible to burn-in of static screen elements. Of course, you really have to try hard for this to happen – the TV has built-in protections, and normal usage shouldn't pose a problem. Nonetheless, if someone plans to use the TV mainly for watching static content (e.g. news channels with banners at the bottom of the screen), it's something to keep in mind.

Pros:

✅ WOLED panel – infinite contrast, perfect black
✅ 144 Hz – exceptional image smoothness, great for gamers
✅ Dolby Vision – support for dynamic metadata in movies and shows
✅ webOS + Magic Remote – convenient operation and a wide app database
✅ VRR, G-Sync, FreeSync – full support for gaming technologies

Cons:

❌ Risk of image burn-in – although you really have to try hard, it's worth keeping this in mind

Samsung S90D / S94D

Samsung S90D is a television very similar to LG C4 – the same WOLED, infinite contrast, 144 Hz, and a full package of gaming features. Differences? The Tizen system runs smoothly and connects well with other Samsung devices, but it doesn't offer as convenient control as webOS. The biggest downside is the lack of Dolby Vision – instead, we have HDR10+, which is less popular, so some movies on Netflix or Disney+ will be played in regular HDR (though for the average user this shouldn't pose a big problem). On the plus side, it features an excellent motion smoother that adds frames in games and makes animations look even smoother. And like any OLED, it can be susceptible to burn-in, but under normal use, this shouldn't be an issue.

Advantages:

✅ WOLED panel – excellent black levels and contrast
✅ 144 Hz – great smoothness of image, ideal for gaming
✅ Very good motion smoother – games look smoother
✅ Tizen system – stable and works well with Samsung devices
✅ Full support for gamers – VRR, G-Sync, FreeSync

Disadvantages:

❌ No Dolby Vision – movies in this format are played in regular HDR
❌ Risk of image burn-in – like with any OLED

Philips OLED809

It's also worth mentioning the Philips OLED809, which in technical parameters is very similar to the LG C4 and Samsung S90D. It features a WOLED panel, a refresh rate of 144 Hz, excellent blacks, and a full set of gaming features, all complemented by Dolby Vision support. It stands out from the competition by operating on Google TV. If we care about a vast number of apps, then in this respect, it is the best option. But... its value for money is quite poor. The price is often 1,500 to 2,000 zł higher than that of the LG C4 and Samsung S90D, and the TV itself does not offer anything significantly better. On the contrary – the OLED809 has issues with the smoothness of tonal transitions, which means that in some scenes, unsightly colour banding is visible.

However, there is one argument that may be crucial for some – Ambilight. It is undoubtedly a great addition – it creates an atmospheric glow that matches the image and makes a really cool impression. However, it must be said that it significantly increases the price of the TV for such a "gimmick."

Advantages:

✅ WOLED panel – excellent blacks and contrast
✅ 144 Hz – high image smoothness
✅ Google TV – multitude of apps
✅ Ambilight – a key asset for many

Disadvantages:

❌ Definitely more expensive than LG C4 and S90D
❌ Issues with the smoothness of tonal transitions – visible colour banding
❌ Risk of burn-in – like with any OLED

Comparison of OLEDs

Which 48-inch OLED to choose?

Here, price plays a key role. As of the date of writing this article (25.02.2025), the Samsung S90D is significantly cheaper than the LG C4 and definitely cheaper than the Philips OLED809. Despite lacking Dolby Vision, at this price, it’s an outstanding choice – offering everything you can expect from an OLED, and at a reasonable cost.

The LG C4 is worth considering if you’re looking for a no-compromise TV; however, its current price is quite high – even higher than the 55-inch version, which is hard to justify as a sensible purchase. It’s a great TV, but it needs to be considerably cheaper to truly be a worthwhile option.

Lastly, we have the Philips OLED809 – a TV that, in terms of price and specifications, doesn’t look the best against the competition. If its compromises and high price are not an issue for you, and Ambilight is a key feature, then it can be considered.

Alternative – Samsung QN90D, or Mini LED for those who don’t want an OLED

If you don’t want or can’t have an OLED – for example, if you’re concerned about burn-in – then it’s worth considering the Samsung QN90D. This is one of the few advanced Mini LED televisions in this size. It offers very high brightness, great contrast, and no risk of burn-in, which can be a key selling point for some users. It’s a fantastic television – it has a VA panel with an additional QLED filter that improves colour reproduction. It also supports 144 Hz, so motion smoothness is at a very high level. The contrast is very good, although of course it doesn’t match OLEDs in terms of black depth.

However, here again the price issue arises – the 50-inch variant costs as much as a 48-inch OLED (or even more), and at this price, it’s better to opt for an OLED if we don’t mind the potential risk of burn-in and lower brightness.

Pros:

✅ Very high brightness – excellent in bright rooms
✅ No risk of burn-in – a safe choice for those concerned about OLEDs
✅ 144 Hz – excellent motion smoothness, ideal for gaming
✅ VA panel with miniLED backlighting – very good contrast

Cons:

❌ Does not match OLEDs in terms of contrast and black levels
❌ Price is similar to OLEDs, yet picture quality is still inferior

Which 50-inch TV should you choose? It depends on you

Choosing a TV is always a matter of priorities. For some, the best image quality matters, for others, the low price, and yet another may pay attention to features for gamers or the operating system. In every price category, you can find something sensible, but you must always reckon with certain compromises. There is no one, universal choice – it all depends on how and where you will use the TV. If you often watch movies in a dark room, go for a model with good contrast. If the TV is to be placed in a bright living room, high brightness will be important. And if it's meant for gaming, it's worth considering image smoothness and low input lag.

Most importantly, after the purchase, you should be satisfied with what you've chosen. If you have other suggestions or think that a certain model should also be included in this overview, let us know. We would love to hear your opinion!